Ainsley reads: Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed

Story Retelling at its finest:

this and that

Time for a post to catch up on the past few months when I have neglected the blog...

We're currently enjoying a few days escaping the laundry and the never-ending to-do lists to enjoy some family time and down-time together, so I have a moment to catch up. 

This is where we are at right now:

indoor, heated pool, with kid-friendly movies on a big screen each evening

This place is AWESOME.  Dog friendly and Family friendly.  Loads of room to take Jake out to run on the empty golf-course and through nature trails.  Dog treats waiting in our room upon arrival. Puzzles, games, and blocks available for check-out, daily kid activities run by the staff, kid menus, spa (for the mommies!)....

Christmas photos, however, are sitting at home on the camera that I forgot to pack - so I'll have to add those later! :)

a school moment - she's such a good listener!

ballet with Miss Heidi (amazingly from Bellingham!!)

she'd sleep in this yellow skirt if we let her!

daddy SERIOUSLY needed a new pair of shoes!

A fall festival down the street at a local school:

first cotton candy

yum!

this artistic display takes serious pre-schooler concentration!

she can write her whole name except for the 's'  !!!

teaching school to her dollies

doesn't a new haircut make YOU feel like this??

new haircut. DARLING. (our baby is growing up!!)

she loves patterns (aka "patterehns")

our little princess.

our 'other' little princess.

my happy new vacuum cleaner!  Hey, what can I say?   The other one BROKE.  This one is GLORIOUS.

one round and THIS is what it picked up! EGADS.

dressed herself. (mind you - it's FREEZING outside)

Happy day!  ABear fits into mommy's old 'Betty Sweater' -- that Nana crocheted (knit?) for her when she was a girl.  YES, the skirt DOES flip up and yes, Betty is wearing underwear.

first day of school

Oh, how fleeting are these early years!

Getting ready for preschool.  Ains woke up eager and immediately went to her dresser to select clothes.  I let her choose some shorts for under her *DARLING* new dress from Eastern Market (thanks, Gma Dee!).  It's the only photo showing the cute buttons, so I had to post it even though her eyes are closed. :)

 Our girl was more ready than her parents, as I'm sure is often the case.  She and daddy played in my classroom....

then in the gym... until time for her day to begin.

Her buddy from daycare is now one of her classmates!

 ~ greeting the teacher ~

No tears.  Jumped right in.  Practically waved Daddy away once she entered.  Half-way through her day, she walked by my classroom -- smiled and blew me a kiss, then kept on walking. Got home... "Mom, now, where are we going to keep my bag? I don't want to forget it."  Then.... "Mom?  Can I go lay down on my bed for a little bit? [shock, awe, and hiding a smile] I'm tired. Tell me when it's dinner."  This girl is so ready for school!  My heart.  She's so grown up. 

family portrait

This girl amazes me.  No. she FLOORS me - daily.

Mommy:

Can you tell? This next one is Jake.  She counted 4 legs and a long tail. :)

note - Baby Stella is her doll.  yup, that's Tinkerbell standing next to daddy.  Mom and Jake are off to the right. :)

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Books are Ainsley's FAVORITE THING these days... She goes straight for the book bin when she arrives at daycare each day and anxiously asks who will read? 

 

Thanks, Chris!   This book is a big hit! It was so much fun to see you!  Glad you came to visit.

counting in circles

Jake Jake Bo Bake

initial sound substitution and rhyming -- and just plain FUN

Hangin' Out

Oh my, I haven't posted in a month!  I've been limiting my time on the computer lately, but I do apologize for the delay!  Let's begin some catching up....

Jake - such a good sport!

nice look, Mac

always.  ALWAYS.

She dressed herself.  Came downstairs this way after a "nap".